Classifications

• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16K—VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
  • F16K31/00—Actuating devices; Operating means; Releasing devices
  • F16K31/02—Actuating devices; Operating means; Releasing devices electric; magnetic
  • F16K31/06—Actuating devices; Operating means; Releasing devices electric; magnetic using a magnet, e.g. diaphragm valves, cutting off by means of a liquid
  • F16K31/0644—One-way valve
  • F16K31/0655—Lift valves
  • F16K31/0658—Armature and valve member being one single element
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16K—VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
  • F16K1/00—Lift valves or globe valves, i.e. cut-off apparatus with closure members having at least a component of their opening and closing motion perpendicular to the closing faces
  • F16K1/32—Details
  • F16K1/34—Cutting-off parts, e.g. valve members, seats
  • F16K1/36—Valve members
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16K—VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
  • F16K31/00—Actuating devices; Operating means; Releasing devices
  • F16K31/02—Actuating devices; Operating means; Releasing devices electric; magnetic
  • F16K31/06—Actuating devices; Operating means; Releasing devices electric; magnetic using a magnet, e.g. diaphragm valves, cutting off by means of a liquid
  • F16K31/0644—One-way valve
  • F16K31/0655—Lift valves
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01F—MAGNETS; INDUCTANCES; TRANSFORMERS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR MAGNETIC PROPERTIES
  • H01F7/00—Magnets
  • H01F7/06—Electromagnets; Actuators including electromagnets
  • H01F7/08—Electromagnets; Actuators including electromagnets with armatures
  • H01F7/081—Magnetic constructions
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01F—MAGNETS; INDUCTANCES; TRANSFORMERS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR MAGNETIC PROPERTIES
  • H01F7/00—Magnets
  • H01F7/06—Electromagnets; Actuators including electromagnets
  • H01F7/08—Electromagnets; Actuators including electromagnets with armatures
  • H01F7/14—Pivoting armatures
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01F—MAGNETS; INDUCTANCES; TRANSFORMERS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR MAGNETIC PROPERTIES
  • H01F7/00—Magnets
  • H01F7/06—Electromagnets; Actuators including electromagnets
  • H01F7/08—Electromagnets; Actuators including electromagnets with armatures
  • H01F7/16—Rectilinearly-movable armatures
  • H01F7/1638—Armatures not entering the winding
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01F—MAGNETS; INDUCTANCES; TRANSFORMERS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR MAGNETIC PROPERTIES
  • H01F7/00—Magnets
  • H01F7/06—Electromagnets; Actuators including electromagnets
  • H01F7/08—Electromagnets; Actuators including electromagnets with armatures
  • H01F7/081—Magnetic constructions
  • H01F2007/086—Structural details of the armature

Definitions

• the invention relates generally to valves and more specifically to an electromechanical valve.
• the object of the invention is to overcome or at least partly reduce the disadvantages with prior electromechanical valves and to provide an improved electromagnetic valve.
• an electromechanical valve comprising a core of magnetic material surrounded by a coil to be supplied with excitation current.
• the valve comprises a valve washer of magnetic material arranged in a space to open/close the valve in response to an excitation current supplied to said coil.
• the valve washer is formed by multiple stacked plates providing a spring force when the valve washer is compressed. The plates are at least partially displaceable in relation to each other in at least one direction.
• the valve can further comprise a housing in which the components of the valve are located.
• an electromechanical valve comprising a housing.
• the housing In the housing there is a core of magnetic material surrounded by a coil to be supplied with excitation current.
• a valve seat that can be attached to the housing or some other part of the valve.
• the space can be located between the valve seat and the core.
• the valve comprises at least one outlet port in said valve seat and at least one inlet port communicating via the space, and a valve washer of magnetic material arranged in said space to open/close the valve in response to an excitation current supplied to the coil.
• the valve washer is formed by multiple stacked plates providing a spring force when the valve washer is compressed.
• the multiple stacked plates are made of a magnetic material, i.e. a material that is magnetically conducting.
• each of the stacked plates is essentially identical to each other.
• the valve washer is compressed when the coil is energized so as to attract the valve washer.
• the plates are partially displaceable in relation to each other in at least one direction.
• an improved spring force can be achieved.
• the design of the valve washer is facilitated by allowing the plates to move slightly in relation to each other.
• the plates are typically thin with a thickness of 0.02 - 0.6 mm and flexibleThe plates can have a size or diameter of 10 mm - 100 mm. In some embodiments the number of plates is in the range of 2 - 70 plates. Further, the top and/or bottom plate is in some embodiments made of another material than the other plates and the top and/or bottom plate can be given another shape than the other plates. In some embodiments at least two plates cooperating with each other are essentially identical. The at least two plates can be supplemented with outer plates having other dimensions or made of other materials as described herein.
• the plates are secured to each other at one section of the plates.
• the plates can be secured to each other with a joint.
• a bolt of the bolted joint is provided with a sealing and wherein the bolt faces the valve seat.
• the plates are not secured to each other thereby making it possible for the plates to move in relation to each other in said other sections.
• the thin plates stacked together are fixed together at one section and a displaceable in relation to each other at another section.
• the plates are generally round and are secured to each other at a central section of the plates.
• the plates are generally rectangular and are secured to each other at an end section of the plates.
• the plates are provided with slits.
• the plates are generally circular and the slits are provided in a radial direction.
• the width of the slits can be formed to increase in a radial direction towards the perimeter edge of the plates.
• the slits can extend all the way to the perimeter of the plates.
• the top and/or bottom plates can have slits that are differently shaped than the slits of the other plates.
• the top and/or bottom plates can have slits that are larger than the slits of the other plates.
• the valve in accordance with the present invention will provide a robust electromagnetic valve that can be controlled with short opening and closing time thereby enabling an accurate control of working medium flow and pressure.
• - Fig. 1 is an axial section of an embodiment of an electromechanical valve
• - Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a valve washer
• - Figs. 3 - 5 are exploded views of a valve washer according to a second embodiment
• FIG. 6 - 9 are views of the valve washer according to the second embodiment
• Figs. 10 and 11 illustrate different types of electromagnetic valves
• FIG. 12 a - 12c illustrate yet another valve and valve washer according to a third embodiment
• - Fig. 13 is a view of a drive circuit for driving an electromagnetic valve.
• an axial section of an embodiment of an electromechanical valve e.g. a pneumatic valve, is shown.
• the valve can be designed to operate with other fluids other than air.
• the valve 1 comprises a housing 2 of non-magnetic material, e.g. aluminium. Inside the housing 2 a core 3 of an electromagnetic material is located.
• the core 3 has a centrally extending portion 4 that is surrounded by a coil 5.
• the core 3 is generally cup-shaped.
• the core 3 can be U-shaped. Other shapes are possible, such as an E-shape.
• the centrally located portion 4 extends to the rim of the cup shaped electromagnetic core 3. It is however to be understood that the portion 4 may be shorter or longer than the height of the wall of the core.
• the coil 5 is supplied with excitation current from a current source such as the one described below in conjunction with Fig. 13 via its terminals.
• the coil 5 has low inductance and the current source to be connected to the terminals has current generator characteristics.
• the valve 1 further has an outlet port 7.
• the valve seat 6 has a centrally located outlet port 7. In accordance with another embodiment more than one outlet port 7 is provided.
• the valve 1 further comprises an inlet port 8.
• the valve 1 comprises two inlet ports 8 at a radial distance from the outlet port 7.
• the number of inlet ports can vary for different applications. At least one inlet port 8 is provided and more may be used.
• the outlet port 7 and the inlet ports 8 are in communication via a space between the valve seat 6 and the core 3.
• inlet ports 8 is not restricted but that the location of the inlet ports 8 can depend on the intended use of valve 1 and can hence be located at any suitable location depending on the field of use of the valve 1.
• a valve washer 9 of magnetic material is arranged in the space between the valve seat 6 and the core 3. As is described below the valve washer can be arranged in other positions where the valve washer moves between a first position closing the valve and a second position with the valve open.
• the washer 9 is suspended by spring ribs extending from the valve washer 9 to keep the outlet port 7 closed in absence of excitation current to coil 5.
• the washer is formed by multiple layers of an electromagnetic material forming a blade spring whereby the washer does not need to be suspended but can provide the required spring force in itself.
• the valve washer 9 is arranged in a space formed between the valve seat 6 and the core 3.
• the restriction can for example be obtained by letting the rim of the washer rest against an abutment in the valve as is seen in Fig. 1.
• a part of the package of stacket plates can be fixed in one section and movable in another section. Due to the stacked plates of the valve washer, a counteracting spring force is also generated when the part of the washer that can move towards the coil is attracted to the coil.
• valve washer 9 when excitation current is supplied to the coil 5, the valve washer 9 cooperates with, i.e. is attracted by, core 3 to open the outlet port 7. When no excitation current is supplied the valve washer returns to an initial position by its inherent spring force.
• the valve washer 9 in some embodiments, preferably, has a stroke ⁇ 2 mm to keep dimension down.
• FIG. 2 a perspective view from both sides of an embodiment of a valve washer 9 formed by multiple layers of an electromagnetic material is shown.
• the layers form a blade spring washer that enables the washer to return to its seat when not excited by any electricity.
• FIG. 3 an exploded view from the side of another embodiment of a valve washer 9' is shown.
• the valve washer 9' is formed by multiple layers of plates 91 of an electromagnetic material.
• the plates 91 that are stacked on top of each other form a blade spring washer that enables the valve washer to return to its seat when the core not excited by any electricity.
• Each plate 91 is formed by a thin sheet of soft magnetic material, e.g. of a suitable type of steel, such as stainless steel.
• the valve washer 9' further comprises a bolted joint formed by a nut 92 and a bolt 93.
• the bolt 93 can further have a sealing 94 formed by an elastic material attached thereto to enhance the seal against the valve seat when the valve is closed.
• one or both of the top and bottom plates of the multiple stacked plates 91 can be thicker and/ or made of another material, even of non-magnetic material, than the other plates 91.
• the plate 95, 96 is designed differently from the other plates in the stack of plates 91.
• this plate can be thicker or of another material, even of non-magnetic material, than the other plates of the valve washer.
• the plate 95, 96 thereby will endure more mechanical stress than the other plates and by letting the plate 95, 96 have other properties, e.g. higher wear resistance, than the other plates, the expected lifetime of the valve washer and of the valve can be increased, especially if one of or both outer plates, in a further embodiment, would be arranged easily replaceable as an in-expensive spare part item.
• each layer 91 of the valve washer 9' can have a generally circular perimeter and the thickness of a layer 91 is small in relation to the area of the layer.
• Typical dimensions for a plate of a layer in the valve washer can be between 0.02 mm - 0.6 mm thick.
• the plates have a thickness of about 0.03 - 0.07 mm, such as about 0.05 mm.
• the plates have a uniform thickness.
• the size or diameter of the valve washer 9' can be in the range of 10 mm - 100 mm.
• the number of stacked thin plates 91 forming the valve washer can also vary. In some applications the number of thin plates can range from 2 - 70. In some applications the number of essentially identical plates 91 is at least three. In yet other applications the number of plates 91 is in the range 3 - 40 or in the range 5 - 20. . In some embodiments at least two plates cooperating with each other are essentially identical. The at least two essentially identical plates can be supplemented with outer plates having other dimensions or made of other materials as described herein.
• the shape of the plate is another than a generally round/circular shape.
• the periphery of the plates can have a generally rectangular shape, such as in the embodiment described below in conjunction with Fig. 12.
• a plate 91 in particular each plate 91, can be provided with radially oriented slits 97.
• the slits can in accordance with one embodiment have a width that increases in a radial direction out towards the perimeter edge of the plates.
• the slits 97 can in accordance with one
• the slits are shaped such that the width of the slits decreases at the periphery of the plates.
• This will form a valve washer having a number of T-shaped tongues extending from a central section forming an essentially circular valve washer.
• the outer plates can have the T-shaped tongues.
• the T-shaped outer tongues will provide good spring characteristics while keeping the wear surface large.
• the slits 98 of the top and/or bottom plate 95, 96 of the valve washer can have slits that are shaped different from the slits of the other plates 91 in the valve washer.
• valve washer 9' is shown in a top view and a bottom view respectively.
• the top and/or bottom plate of the valve washer 9' is given a design different from the other plates.
• the top and bottom plates can be made thicker and can also be made of another material than the other plates in the valve washer to serve as wear out washers.
• the washers 95 and 96 can increase the stability of the valve washer 9', which can facilitate and allow for robust handling of the valve washer 9'. This is depicted in Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 which shows a detail of Fig. 8.
• the outer plates 95 and 96 are thicker than the other plates located in between the plates 95 and 96.
• the plates 91 of the valve washer 9, 9', 9" are secured, as set out above, by means of a bolted joint.
• a bolted joint provided at a central section in all plates that keeps the valve washer together as a single unit that can move in the space between the valve seat and the core.
• Other methods of securing the individual washers/plates of the valve washer can be envisaged.
• the stacked package of plates forming the valve washer can be clamped glued or welded together. Regardless of the method used it is typically advantageous to use a securing that allows for a displacement between individual plates of the valve washer, at least at some section(s) of the valve washer.
• the plates can then, at least partly, be displaced in relation to each other in at least one direction such as a radial direction.
• the plates are secured to each other at a central location, and can be displaced in relation to each other in a radial direction of the plates at the outer sections of the plates. This allows, outside said securing location, for a small, essentially radial movement in terms of sliding between the individual plates/washers of the valve washer, when it is compressed during the excitation phase, respectively de-compressed (spring return) during the de-excitation phase.
• the movement, for example a radial movement, between the individual washers of the valve washer will further contribute to a dampening of the movement of the valve washer in the space where it can move between two positions
• valve 1 can have other designs using a valve washer 9, 9' and 9" as described herein.
• valve washer 9, 9' 9 is arranged in a space in the valve and moves between two positions in response to a magnetic field generated by an electromagnet.
• the two positions can correspond to an open and a closed state of the valve.
• valve 1 ' having a valve washer 9' or 9" as described herein is depicted.
• the valve washer can move in the space 10' between a valve seat and a core 3 '.
• the valve 1 ' is of a type that can be labeled "normally closed".
• the valve washer when there is no current supplied to the coil for magnetizing the core 3', the valve washer is suspended in its seat closing the opening 7'.
• the valve washer here the central portion of the valve washer, moves in the space towards the coil and opens a channel from the inlet 8 to the outlet 7 so that a flow of, for example, pressurized air can flow through the valve 1 '.
• the valve washer returns by the spring force built-up when the valve was opened.
• valve 1 1 similar to the valve 1 ' is shown.
• the valve 1 " is however of a type that can be labeled "normally open”.
• the valve washer is suspended in a position where the valve washer is in a position with the valve washer away from the valve seat.
• the core is magnetized the valve washer in the valve 1 " is drawn to the valve seat closing the valve 1 ".
• the core is de-magnetized, the valve washer returns by the spring force built-up when the valve was closed.
• FIG. 12a yet another embodiment of a valve ⁇ " is depicted.
• the valve comprises in a housing (not shown) a core 3"'.
• the core 3"' can be generally U shaped.
• the core 3"' can be magnetized by a coil 5"'.
• the coil 5'" can, preferably be wound around one leg of a U-shaped core.
• the valve 1 "' further comprises a valve washer 9"'.
• the valve washer 9"' is in one end section attached to the core 3"'. In case of a U-shaped core the valve washer 9'" can be attached to an end section of the U-shaped core.
• valve washer 9"' can be arranged in a space between a valve seat (not shown) and the core 3"'.
• the other end section can be provided in close connection to the other end section of a U- shaped core.
• the valve washer 9"' can further have an outer end section with a lip 29. The lip can be provided in conjunction with an inlet/outlet (not shown) of the valve ⁇ ". When the valve washer moves between its two positions in response to an excitation current provided to the coil 5'", the lip 29 acts to open/close the inlet/outlet from the valve 1 '".
• a valve 1 "' that can control both an inlet and an outlet is shown.
• a valve arrangement with two valves 41 and 42 both comprising a valve washer arrangement such as the valve washer depicted in Fig. 12a is provided.
• the inlet is controlled by a first valve 41 and the outlet is controlled by a second valve 42.
• the plates can be displaced in relation to each other in at least one direction.
• the valve washer 9"' has a clamp 53, for restricting, but not entirely preventing displacement of the individual plates in relation to each other in the another section.
• the bolted joint 52 is provided in one end section of stacked rectangular plates and the clamp 53 is provided in the other end section of the stacked rectangular plates.
• a drive circuit 30 for providing an efficient drive current for driving the valve 1 is shown.
• the drive circuit 30 comprises an input terminal 31 supplying an input signal.
• the drive circuit 30 provides a drive current for the electromagnetic coil 5.
• the drive current is provided by a switched current controlled by a control circuit 32 for opening and closing the valve 1.
• the drive circuit hereby can act as a current generator providing a pulse width modulated drive current.
• the drive circuit can also be used for the valves 1 ' and 1 " . It is advantageous for some applications if the response time for the electromagnetic valve can be made short.
• the resistance of the magnetic material can be made high so that the electric conductivity is made low.
• the stacked assembly will provide good dampening characteristics which is advantageous since the stack assembly can be arranged in a space of the valve.
• the selection of the number, thickness, design and material of the electromagnetic plates in the stacked assembly forming the valve washer can then be made in dependence on the desired size and strength of the magnetic flow through the package and its desired return spring characteristics, which parameters in turn will depend on the desired force and speed of the valve for the intended field of application.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Electromagnetism (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Power Engineering (AREA)
• Magnetically Actuated Valves (AREA)
• Electromagnets (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (3)

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• 2015
  • 2015-02-18 JP JP2016553508A patent/JP6615768B2/ja active Active
  • 2015-02-18 EP EP15752769.8A patent/EP3108166B1/de active Active
  • 2015-02-18 CN CN201580009248.7A patent/CN106030173B/zh active Active
  • 2015-02-18 ES ES15752769T patent/ES2705762T3/es active Active
  • 2015-02-18 LT LTEP15752769.8T patent/LT3108166T/lt unknown
  • 2015-02-18 WO PCT/SE2015/000008 patent/WO2015126304A1/en active Application Filing

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